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The pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms after brachytherapy for prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Blaivas Jerry G.,
Weiss Jeffrey P.,
Jones Mark
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2006.06491.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lower urinary tract symptoms , brachytherapy , prostate cancer , international prostate symptom score , urology , bladder outlet obstruction , cystoscopy , prostate , urinary system , cancer , radiation therapy
Brachytherapy for prostate cancer has many good effects, but is also associated, like every treatment, with side‐effects, some of which have been previously reported in the BJU International. In this section, authors from New York assessed the pathophysiology underlying LUTS which persisted for at least 6 months after brachytherapy, and found a relatively high incidence of detrusor overactivity and other conditions affecting the lower urinary tract. OBJECTIVES To determine the spectrum of pathophysiology underlying the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persisting for ≥ 6 months after brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A database of men from two practice settings was searched for men who developed LUTS persisting for ≥ 6 months after completing brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Patients were evaluated with a structured history and physical examination, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 24‐h voiding diary, noninvasive free‐flow uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), cystoscopy and a video‐urodynamic study. Specific data collected included symptoms, elapsed time since brachytherapy, Gleason score, IPSS, total number of voids/24 h, maximum voided volume, cystoscopic findings, and urodynamics findings (PVR, maximum urinary flow rate, Schaefer obstruction grade, Watts factor, incidence of detrusor overactivity (DO) urethral obstruction and low bladder compliance). These data were compared with those from a previous study of men with LUTS who did not have prostate cancer. RESULTS The study included 47 men (aged 54–88 years); the median (range) interval between brachytherapy and evaluation was 1.5 (0.5–13) years. Thirty‐seven men complained of overactive bladder symptoms (79%), and 31 of incontinence (71%), 21 of obstructive symptoms (44%), and persistent dysuria in 12 (26%). Comparison of urodynamic findings in men with unselected causes of LUTS vs LUTS due to brachytherapy revealed the following comparisons: DO in 252 of 541 (47%) unselected vs 28 of 33 (85%) brachytherapy, ( P < 0.001); and urethral obstruction in 374 of 541 (69%) unselected vs 24 of 33 (73%) brachytherapy ( P = 0.85). CONCLUSION The pathophysiology and severity of persistent LUTS in men after brachytherapy differs from that of men with LUTS in the general population. Men after brachytherapy have a much higher incidence of DO, prostatic and urethral strictures and prostatic urethral stones.